What is the medical term for sickle cells?
Sickle Cell Anemia (SS) The most common form of sickle cell disease. Sickle cell anemia is the result of the inheritance of the gene for sickle hemoglobin (S) from both parents.
What is the definition of a sickle cell?
sickle cell. n. An abnormal, crescent-shaped red blood cell that results from a single change in the amino acid sequence of the cell’s hemoglobin, which causes the cell to contort, especially under low-oxygen conditions.

How are red blood cells affected by sickle cell disease?
Healthy red blood cells are round, and they move through small blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body. In someone who has SCD, the red blood cells become hard and sticky and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a “sickle”. The sickle cells die early, which causes a constant shortage of red blood cells.
What kind of disease is sickle cell anaemia?
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of blood disorders typically inherited from a person’s parents. The most common type is known as sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Which is more common sickle cell disease or SS disease?
The blood vessels that supply oxygen to the retina—the tissue at the back of the eye—may be blocked by sickle cells, leading to a condition called retinopathy. This is one of the only complications that is actually more common in SC disease as compared to SS disease.
What are some diseases associated with sickle cell?
- Stroke. Sickle cells can block blood flow to an area of your brain.
- Acute chest syndrome.
- Pulmonary hypertension.
- Organ damage.
- Blindness.
- Leg ulcers.
- Gallstones.
- Priapism.
- Pregnancy complications.
What is sickle cell disease is caused by?
Sickle cell anemia (sickle cell disease) is a disorder of the blood caused by an inherited abnormal hemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein within the red blood cells). The abnormal hemoglobin causes distorted (sickled appearing under a microscope) red blood cells. The sickled red blood cells are fragile and prone to rupture.
What type of disorder is sickle cell disease?
Sickle cell disease is a group of hereditary blood disorders that arise from mutations in the hemoglobin gene. This hemoglobin is the oxygen carrier present in red blood cells (RBCs). The widely observed form of sickle cell disease is Sickle cell anemia.
What are symptoms of sickle cell disorder?
Signs and symptoms of sickle cell disease usually begin in early childhood. Characteristics of this disorder include a low number of red blood cells (anemia), repeated infections, and recurring episodes of pain. The severity of symptoms varies from person to person.